My 451 A-body originally had power steering and an automatic column-shift. I installed a manual box with a Flaming River adapter, and to clear the headers, shortened the column back to the firewall.

So I reinstalled the plastic lower support bearing but it only goes between the outer tube and the column-shift tube. Right now there is nothing between the inner tube and the steering shaft itself.

Is this "normal" and if not, what piece do I need? A stock part, or a small roller bearing with appropriate ID/OD?

thanks
Charles

How about a non shift column. Asteering column is something that I believe shouldnt be messed with..